After the firing of head coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe earlier in the week, general manager Kavis Reed also takes over head-coaching duties. The past 60 times there has been an in-season change in the Canadian Football League, the new coaches have gone 29-31 in the initial games. In-season debut head coaches are 12-20 in those games. QB coach Anthony Calvillo will call offensive plays for the Alouettes, while defensive-line coach Greg Quick will make defensive calls.

2. Close, but no cigar

If their record is indicative of late-game ability, the Redblacks need to stay out of a close one with the Alouettes. After losing 26-22 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats a week ago, the Redblacks are 0-6-1 in games decided by four points or less. They are 2-10-2 in four-points-and-less games since the start of 2016. The all-time record for losses by four points or less was nine games by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2010.

3. Serderius Bryant

He’s thought of highly enough by Redblacks coaches that they were shuffling Khalil Bass from the WILL linebacker spot to a backup spot at MIKE linebacker behind Taylor Reed. Bass was released on Friday. Bryant is a high-motor guy who is like a buzz-saw out there. Reed posted his second career 10-tackle game last week and has 62 tackles overall this season.

4. Where is Greg Ellingson?

After averaging 6.4 receptions for 100.4 yards per game over the first nine contests, Ellingson has over the past three contests averaged just 3.0 catches for 29.3 yards per game. He still led the CFL in receiving yards coming into this week, with 1,080, and was well on his way to blowing past his career-best total of 1,260 set last season.

5. Kicker Brett Maher

After starting off the season as one of the Redblacks’ bright spots, with 26 made field goals in his first 29 attempts, Maher has sputtered in recent weeks, going 4-for-8 in the past two games. He’s also missing too many convert kicks, making just 13 of 19 this season.

THE KEY MATCHUP

Redblacks QB Drew Tate versus the Alouettes defence

Now in his 11th CFL season, Tate steps in as the starting quarterback after Trevor Harris was sidelined by a shoulder injury last week. It’s Tate’s 15th career start and the first since Game 18 for the Calgary Stampeders last year, with Bo Levi Mitchell resting. He was also the No. 1 QB for the first two games in 2013, but was injured, and Mitchell wound up winning the starting job. It’s hard to analyze what Tate has done as a Redblack since his body of work is limited to a relief appearance against Hamilton; he completed eight of 13 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. He will roll out of the pocket and run, so that provides a different threat for the Alouettes. Montreal has some big hitters, including Kyries Hebert.

INSIDE THE GAME

After knocking off B.C., Hamilton and Montreal, the Redblacks came out flat in the first half of their last game against the Ticats and couldn’t complete a comeback. Montreal is coming off a 23-point loss to B.C., which held the Alouettes to 68 net yards and three first downs in the first half. The Alouettes have gone four games without scoring in the first quarter. No Montreal team has ever failed to score in the first quarter in five consecutive games. Despite their 4-7-1 record, the Redblacks are averaging 28.0 points per game and are actually plus-35 (336 points for, 301 points against) for the season. The Redblacks have William Powell back at running back, with Mossis Madu Jr. listed as his backup. Arnaud Gascon-Nadon is listed as a backup to Jonathan Newsome at defensive end, but should get plenty of reps. With Jon Gott (wrist/hand) on the six-game injured list, Alex Mateas moves to centre and rookie Evan Johnson will play left guard.

PREDICTION: Ottawa 26, Montreal 21

Can the Alouettes really be as bad as their 3-8 record? Can the Redblacks really be as bad as their 4-7-1 record? A win over Montreal would create some separation for a playoff spot in the East Division.

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